Using social media to disseminate education about Alzheimer's prevention & treatment: a pilot study on Alzheimer's universe (www.AlzU.org).

Background: The use of social media may be a valuable tool for dissemination of patient education interventions. However, in Alzheimer's disease (AD), little data exists about the effectiveness, associated cost, or conditions for utilization.

Methods: Alzheimer's Universe (www.

Acellular porcine intestinal submucosa as fascial graft in an animal model: applications for revision tympanoplasty.

Objective: To demonstrate regeneration of muscle fascia appropriate for future harvest with the use of acellular porcine intestinal submucosa in a rat model.

Study Design: Animal cohort study.

Setting: Tertiary care academic medical center.

Cavernous sinus thrombosis secondary to allergic fungal sinusitis.

Cavernous sinus thrombosis (CST) is a rare and serious complication secondary to invasive fungal sinusitis, but rarer still in cases of allergic fungal sinusitis. Current recommendations for cavernous sinus thrombosis are controversial, especially regarding anticoagulation, secondary to the rarity of the diagnosis. Early surgical debridement and intravenous antibiotics are crucial to prevent mortality and decrease morbidity.

Unilateral congenital facial nerve paralysis secondary to a benign epithelioid peripheral nerve sheath tumor.

Objective: A benign epithelioid peripheral nerve sheath tumor is described in the setting of congenital facial nerve (FN) paralysis. This is the first reported case in the English literature.

Patient: A 10-month-old girl with unilateral congenital FN paralysis.

Idiopathic temporal bone encephaloceles in the obese patient.

Objectives: Our aims were to introduce temporal bone encephalocele (TBE) to the differential diagnosis of persistent middle ear effusion, cerebrospinal fluid otorrhea, or chronic otitis media in obese adults and to demonstrate the basic pathophysiologic principles of morbid obesity as it may lead to the cascade of increased intra-abdominal pressure, increased central venous pressure, benign increased intracranial pressure, and TBE.

Methods: A retrospective review of the medical records was performed to determine the location, nature, and etiology of the encephaloceles identified at our institution from 1989 to 2005. Body mass index was calculated from the patient height and weight data.

Current management of Ménière's disease in an only hearing ear.

Objective: Ménière's disease in an only hearing ear is rare. Our objective is to define the current practice patterns for this problem.

Subjects: Clinically active members of the American Otological Society and the American Neurotology Society.

New-onset facial paralysis and undiagnosed recurrence of cutaneous malignancy: evaluation and management.

Perineural invasion of cranial nerves, including the facial nerve by squamous cell carcinoma of the skin, is a poor prognostic factor for recurrent disease and disease-specific mortality. We discuss 2 patients who presented to the Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery service with complete facial nerve paralysis and a history of skin cancer. Based on our experience with these patients, we recommend that patients who present with facial nerve paralysis and a history of cutaneous malignancy undergo aggressive management including early intervention and complete exploration of the facial nerve from the geniculate ganglion out to the periphery.

Postoperative imaging and follow-up of vestibular schwannomas.

Objective: No standards exist regarding patient follow-up after complete vestibular schwannoma resection. We surveyed neurotologists and neurosurgeons to determine practice patterns.

Study Design: A nonrandomized sample of American Neurotology Society and North American Skull Base Society members was surveyed.

Pediatric temporal bone fractures in a rural population.

Objective: To examine pediatric temporal bone fractures in a rural population.

Study Design And Setting: A retrospective chart review of pediatric temporal bone fractures between January 1, 1996, and December 31, 2000, at a rural academic medical center.

Results: A total of 108 patients were identified.

Differential diagnosis and treatment of hearing loss.

Hearing loss is a common problem that can occur at any age and makes verbal communication difficult. The ear is divided anatomically into three sections (external, middle, and inner), and pathology contributing to hearing loss may strike one or more sections. Hearing loss can be categorized as conductive, sensorineural, or both.

Peritonsillar and parapharyngeal space abscess in the older adult.

Objective: To review the presentation and management of peritonsillar (PTA) and parapharyngeal space (PPSA) abscesses in older adults and compare this with the usual presentation and management in the younger patient.

Study Design: An 18-year retrospective review at a tertiary care hospital.

Methods: The patient database was searched by using the diagnosis codes for PTA and PPSA.

Clinical associations between tinnitus and chronic pain.

Objective: We sought to estimate the prevalence and severity of tinnitus in patients with chronic pain.

Study Design And Setting: We conducted a prospective nonrandomized study in which a survey and the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) were distributed at a tertiary chronic pain clinic.

Results: Seventy-two patients participated.

Arachnoid cyst of the fallopian canal: a surgical challenge.

Objective: Spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks from the fallopian canal are exceedingly rare, with only 6 reports appearing in the world literature. We report a seventh case that is unique in that it involves an arachnoid cyst of the fallopian canal and an associated facial nerve palsy.

Study Design: Case report.